Toy Vehicle Playset with Flipping Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle playset includes a track portion, a repositionable lever, an actuator, and a repositionable engagement member. The repositionable lever is disposed adjacent to the track portion, where the repositionable lever is repositionable between a first position and a second position. The actuator and the engagement member are disposed on the track portion, with the engagement member being disposed proximate to the actuator. The engagement member is operatively coupled to the repositionable lever and the actuator. When the repositionable lever is in the first position, the engagement member remains unengaged with a toy vehicle as the toy vehicle travels over the track portion and engages the actuator. However, when the repositionable lever is in the second position, engagement of the actuator by the toy vehicle traveling over the track portion causes the engagement member to engage and flip the toy vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/459,491, filed Feb. 15, 2017, entitled “Toy VehiclePlayset with Flipping Mechanism,” the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy vehicle playset. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a toy vehicle playset thatlaunches toy vehicles from a ramp in two different manners, where themanner in which the toy vehicle is launched from the ramp is selectableby a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children often utilize a toy vehicle play set when playing with toyvehicles. Toy vehicle playsets typically include a combination ofstructures and tracks, and users can create play patterns with the toyvehicle playsets by having their toy vehicles interact with thestructures and tracks of the playsets. Furthermore, many toy vehicleplaysets include a type of toy vehicle launcher that is capable oflaunching toy vehicles across, around, and/or from the toy vehicleplayset. However, the toy vehicle launchers of the toy vehicle playsetsonly launch toy vehicles in a single manner (i.e., the path taken by thetoy vehicle is the same each launch). This creates a limited playpattern for the toy vehicle playset.

It would be desirable to provide a toy vehicle playset that is capableof launching a toy vehicle in a plurality of manners to increase thenumber of play patterns for the toy vehicle playset. It would further bedesirable to provide a toy vehicle playset where the manner in which atoy vehicle is launched, or the manner in which the toy vehicle travelsover the playset, is selectable by the user of the toy vehicle playset.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein. The new andimproved toy vehicle playset includes a track portion, a repositionablelever, an actuator, and a repositionable engagement member. Therepositionable lever is disposed adjacent to the track portion, wherethe repositionable lever is repositionable between a first position anda second position. The actuator and the engagement member are disposedon the track portion, with the engagement member being disposedproximate to the actuator. The engagement member is operatively coupledto the repositionable lever and the actuator. When the repositionablelever is in the first position, the engagement member remains unengagedwith a toy vehicle as the toy vehicle travels over the track portion andengages the actuator. However, when the repositionable lever is in thesecond position, engagement of the actuator by the toy vehicle travelingover the track portion causes the engagement member to engage the toyvehicle and cause it to flip from the track portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a toy vehicleplayset according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, the lever of the toy vehicleplayset being placed in the first position.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 and a toy vehicle being launchedfrom the ramp when the lever is in the first position.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, the lever of the toy vehicleplayset being placed in the second position.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 and a toy vehicle being launchedfrom the ramp of the playset when the lever is in the second position.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in thefirst position and the actuator is in the unactuated position.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in thefirst position and the actuator is in the actuated position.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in thesecond position and the actuator is in the unactuated position.

FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of the ramp of the embodiment of the toyvehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1, where the lever is placed in thesecond position, the actuator is in the actuated position, and theengagement member is in the deployed position.

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of the first side of the engagementmember of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playsetillustrated in FIG. 1 when the engagement member is in the deployedposition.

FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of the second side of the engagementmember of the ramp of the embodiment of the toy vehicle playsetillustrated in FIG. 1 when the engagement member is in the deployedposition.

FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of thetoy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 when the lever is in the firstposition and the actuator is in the unactuated position.

FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of thetoy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 6A when the lever is in thefirst position and the actuator is in the actuated position.

FIG. 6C illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of thetoy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 6A when the lever is in thesecond position and the actuator is in the unactuated position.

FIG. 6D illustrates a bottom view of the ramp of the embodiment of thetoy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 6A when the lever is in thesecond position and the actuator is in the actuated position.

FIG. 7A illustrates a bottom view of the actuator and pivotable portionof the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 1 whenthe actuator is in the unactuated position.

FIG. 7B illustrates a bottom view of the actuator and pivotable portionof the embodiment of the toy vehicle playset illustrated in FIG. 7A whenthe actuator is in the actuated position.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elementsthroughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein is toy vehicle playset with a toyvehicle launcher that is configured to launch a toy vehicle from a rampin a plurality of manners. The toy vehicle playset may include a toyvehicle launcher coupled to a base with a ramp. The base of the toyvehicle playset includes a repositionable lever, an actuator, and anengagement member. The lever is disposed on the side of the ramp. Theactuator and the engagement member are disposed on the top surface ofthe ramp, over which a toy vehicle is configured to travel. A mechanismis mechanically and operatively coupled to each of the lever, theactuator, and the engagement member such that positioning of the leverand actuation of the actuator dictate the movement and positioning ofthe engagement member. With the lever in a first position, as a toyvehicle travels over the ramp and engages the actuator, the engagementmember is not released from its loaded or stowed positions. Thus, whenthe toy vehicle is launched from the toy vehicle launcher and the leveris in the first position, the toy vehicle is configured to fly off ofthe ramp without performing any rotations or flips. However, when thelever is in a second position, as a toy vehicle travels over the rampand engages the actuator, the engagement member is released to impact orstrike the bottom of the toy vehicle. Thus, when the toy vehicle islaunched from the toy vehicle launcher and the lever is in the secondposition, the toy vehicle is configured to fly off of the ramp whileperforming forward rotations or flips.

Turning to FIG. 1, illustrated is an embodiment of a toy vehicle playset10 in accordance with the present invention. The toy vehicle playsetincludes a base 100 with a collapsible structure 600, a track 700, and alauncher 800 coupled to the base 100. As illustrated, the base 100 ofthe toy vehicle playset 10 includes a front end 102, a rear end 104opposite the front end 102, a first side 106 spanning from the front end102 to the rear end 104, and an opposite second side 108 also spanningfrom the front end 102 to the rear end 104. The collapsible structure600 is coupled to the rear end 104 of the base 100, while the track 700is coupled to the front end 102 of the base 100. The launcher 800 isindirectly coupled to the front end 102 of the base 100 via the track700.

The collapsible structure 600 includes a platform 610 with a top surface612, a front side 614, a rear side 616 opposite the front side 614, afirst side 618, and a second side 619 opposite the first side 618. Thefront side 614 of the platform 610 of the collapsible structure 600 iscoupled to the rear end 104 of the base 100 of the toy vehicle playset10. The collapsible structure 600 further includes a first pillar 620and a second pillar 630 spaced from the first pillar 620. The firstpillar 620 is removably coupled to the top surface 612 of the platform610 proximate to the first side 618 of the platform 610. The secondpillar 630 is coupled to the top surface 612 of the platform 610proximate to the second side 619 of the platform 610. Coupled to thefirst and second pillars 620, 630 is an elevated structure 640, wherethe first and second pillars 620, 630 support the elevated structure 640above the top surface 612 of the platform 610. The top surface 612 ofthe platform 610, first pillar 620, second pillar 630, and elevatedstructure 640 collectively define an opening 650.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the track 700 includes a firsttrack portion 710 and a second track portion 720. The first trackportion 710 is elongated with a first end 712 and a second end 714.Similarly, the second track portion 720 is also elongated and includes afirst end 722 and a second end 724. The second end 714 of the firsttrack portion 710 and the second end 724 of the second track portion 720are coupled to the front end 102 of the base 100 such that the first andsecond track portions 710, 720 are adjacent or abutting one another.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that the launcher 800 is coupled to the firstends 712, 722 of the first and second track portions 710, 720,respectively. The launcher 800 includes a platform 810 and a launchingmechanism 820. In the embodiment illustrated, the platform 810 includesa front end 812 and a rear end 814. The front end 812 of the platform810 of the launcher 800 is coupled to the first ends 712, 722 of thefirst and second track portions 710, 720, respectively. The launchingmechanism 820 is disposed on the platform 810 proximate to the rear end814 of the platform 820. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thelaunching mechanism 820 includes a handle 822 and an impactor 824. Forthe embodiment illustrated, when a user pushes down, or strikes, thehandle 822 of the launching mechanism 820, the handle 822 rotates aboutaxis Z and pushes the impactor 824 towards the front end 812 of theplatform 810. Any toy vehicle 900, which are illustrated in FIGS. 2A,2B, 3A, and 3B, disposed on the platform 810 of the launcher 800 betweenthe front end 812 and the impactor 824 at the time the handle 822 isstruck by the user is propelled forward across the track 700 by theforce of the impactor 824 striking the toy vehicle 900.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the base 100 of the toy vehicle playset 10includes a track segment or ramp portion 120 and a receptacle portion130. The ramp portion 120 is disposed proximate to the front end 102 ofthe base 100, while the receptacle portion 130 is disposed proximate tothe rear end 104 of the base 100. The ramp portion 120 is an angledsurface that increases in height as the ramp portion 120 extends fromthe front end 102 towards the rear end 104. The receptacle portion 130is lower in height than the ramp portion 120, especially the end of theramp portion 120 that is disposed proximate to the receptacle portion130. As further illustrated, the receptacle portion 130 may be shapedlike a container or basin.

The base 100 of the toy vehicle playset 10 further includes an actuator200, a lever 300, and an engagement member 400. The actuator 200 and theengagement member 400 are aligned with one another on the ramp portion120 of the base 100. The lever 300 is disposed on the first side 106 ofthe base 100 proximate to the ramp portion 120.

Turning to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, the lever 300 of the base 100 isrepositionable between a first position A and a second position B. FIG.2A illustrates a toy vehicle 900 being placed on the launcher 800 of theplayset 10 and the lever 300 being placed in the first position A. Asillustrated in FIG. 2B, when the lever 300 is in the first position A,the toy vehicle 900 is disposed on the launcher 800, and a user strikesthe handle 822 of the launcher 800, the toy vehicle 900 travels from thelauncher 800, across the track 700, and is propelled up the ramp portion120 of the base 100. As the toy vehicle 900 traverses up the rampportion 120, the toy vehicle 900 comes into contact with, or engages,the actuator 200 prior to being launched from the end of the rampportion 120. Because the lever 300 is in the first position A, theengagement member 400 does not release when the toy vehicle 900 engagesthe actuator 200, and thus, does not alter the path in which the toyvehicle 900 travels from the ramp portion 120. Therefore, as illustratedin FIG. 2B, as the toy vehicle 900 is launched from the end of the rampportion 120, the toy vehicle travels across and over the receptacleportion 130, and then through the opening 650 in the collapsiblestructure 600.

FIG. 3A, however, illustrates a toy vehicle 900 being placed on thelauncher 800 of the playset 10 and the lever 300 being placed in thesecond position B. When compared to the first position A, the lever 300in the second position B is angled towards the rear end 104 of the base100, while the lever 300 in the first position A extends substantiallyvertically from the first side 106 of the base 100. As illustrated inFIG. 3B, when the lever 300 is in the second position B, the toy vehicle900 is disposed on the launcher 800, and a user strikes the handle 822of the launcher 800, the toy vehicle 900 travels from the launcher 800,across the track 700, and is propelled up the ramp portion 120 of thebase 100. As the toy vehicle 900 traverses up the ramp portion 120, thetoy vehicle 900 comes into contact with, or engages, the actuator 200prior to being launched from the end of the ramp portion 120. However,when the toy vehicle 900 engages the actuator 200 with lever 300 in thesecond position B, the engagement member 400 is instantaneously releasedto impact the bottom surface of the toy vehicle 900. This causes the toyvehicle 900 to be launched from the end of the ramp portion 120 with aflipping motion, where the toy vehicle 900 is flipping end over end. Theimpact of the engagement member 400 with the toy vehicle 900 may furthercause the toy vehicle 900 to launch higher into the air when compared tothat of when the toy vehicle 900 launches from the ramp portion withoutbeing impacted by the engagement member 400. As illustrated in FIG. 3B,when the toy vehicle 900 is launched from the ramp portion 120 with thelever 400 in the second position B, the toy vehicle 900 flips into theelevated structure 640 of the collapsible structure 600. This causes thecollapsible structure 600 to be knocked off of the platform 610.

The interaction and mechanisms between the actuator 200, the lever 300,and the engagement member 400 are further detailed below.

Turning to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrated is a top view ofthe base 100, and more specifically, the ramp portion 120 of the base100. As further illustrated, the ramp portion 120 includes a top surface122 that is an inclined slope with a first end 124 and a second end 126.The first end, or low end, 124 of the sloped top surface 122 is disposedproximate to the front end 102 of the base 100. The second end, or highend, 126 of the slope top surface 122 is disposed more proximate to therear end 104 of the base 100 than the first end 124. As previouslyexplained, the lever 300 is disposed on the first side 106 of the base100 proximate to the ramp portion 120. In addition, the actuator 200 andthe engagement member 400 are centrally disposed on the top surface 122of the ramp portion 120. In the embodiment illustrated, the actuator 200and the engagement member 400 are aligned longitudinally along the topsurface 122 of the ramp portion 120.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lever 300 includes a handleportion 310, a support or pillar portion 320, and a base portion 330.The base portion 330 of the lever 300 is at least partially disposedwithin the first side 106 of the base 100 such that the base portion 330at least partially extends through the base 100. Extending substantiallyupward from the base portion 330 of the lever 300 is the pillar portion320. Furthermore, disposed on the top of the pillar portion 320 is thehandle portion 310. As previously explained, the lever 300 isrepositionable between a first position A and a second position B. Thelever 300 is disposed in the first position A in FIGS. 4A and 4B, whileFIGS. 5A and 5B depict the lever 300 in the second position B. Thepositioning of the lever 300 dictates whether or not the engagementmember 400 is released when the actuator 200 is engaged.

The actuator 200, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 5B, includes afirst end 210 and a second end 220 opposite the first end 210. Thesecond end 220 of the actuator is disposed within the sloped top surface122 of the ramp portion 120 proximate to the second end 126 of thesloped top surface 122. The actuator 200 is repositionable between anunactuated position C and an actuated position D. When in the unactuatedposition C, the actuator 200 is oriented to be substantially transverseor perpendicular to the sloped top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120.Thus, in the unactuated position C, the first end 210 of the actuator200 is disposed above the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120. FIGS.4A and 5A illustrated the actuator 200 in the unactuated position C. Inthe actuated position D, however, the actuator 200 is rotated about thesecond end 220 of the actuator 200 such that the actuator 200 issubstantially aligned in the same plane as the top surface 122 of theramp portion 120 such that the first end 210 of the actuator 200 extendsfrom the second end 126 of the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120.FIGS. 4B and 5B illustrated the actuator in the actuated position D. Atoy vehicle 900 that travels over the top surface 122 of the rampportion 120 from the first end 124 of the ramp 120 to the second end 126of the ramp 120 is configured to engage the first end 210 of theactuator 200 and reposition the actuator 200 from the unactuatedposition C to the actuated position D. More specifically, the first end210 of the actuator 200, when disposed in the unactuated position C, isoriented such that the front end and/or bottom of the toy vehicle 900contacts or engages the first end 210 of the actuator 200 as the toyvehicle 900 travels over the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120towards the second end 126 of the ramp portion 120. As the toy vehicle900 continues to travel toward the second end 126 of the ramp portion120 and off of the ramp portion 120, the toy vehicle 900 forces theactuator 200 to rotate from the unactuated position C to the actuatedposition D.

The engagement member 400, as best disposed in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D,includes a proximal end 410 and a distal end 440 that is opposite of theproximal end 410. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the engagementmember 400 also includes a first side 412 and an opposite second side414. Disposed on, and extending from, the first side 412 is a first tab416, while disposed on, and extending from, the second side 414 is asecond tab 418. The first and second tabs 416, 418 are disposed on thefirst and second sides 412, 414, respectively, at locations proximate tothe proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Furthermore, asillustrated, a rotational shaft 430 is disposed through the proximal end410 of the engagement member 400, where the engagement member 400 iscapable of rotation about the rotational shaft 430, or, in other words,the axis Y that extends coaxially through the rotational shaft 430.

The engagement member 400 is repositionable between a loaded position Eand a launched position F, where the engagement member 400 rotates aboutaxis Y to be repositioned between the loaded position E and the launchedposition F. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5A, the engagementmember 400 is disposed in the loaded position E. Furthermore, as bestillustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D, the engagement member 400 isdisposed in the launched position F. The engagement member 400 isdisposed on the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that,regardless of which position the engagement member 400 is in, theproximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 is disposed within the topsurface 122 of the ramp portion 120 at a location proximate to the firstend 124 of the top surface 122 of the ramp 120. Moreover, when in theloaded position E, the engagement member 400 is substantially aligned inthe same plane as the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 with thedistal end 440 of the engagement member 400 being disposed proximate tothe second end 220 of the actuator 200. However, when the engagementmember 400 is in the launched position F, the engagement member 400 isoriented to extend upwardly from the top surface 122 of the ramp portion120 such that the distal end 440 of the engagement member 400 isoriented above the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120.

As previously explained, the positioning of the lever 300 dictateswhether or not actuation of the actuator 200 (i.e., movement of theactuator between the unactuated position C and the actuated position D)causes the engagement member 400 to change positions. As illustrated inFIG. 4A, the lever 300 is disposed in the first position A, while theactuator 200 is oriented in the unactuated position C and the engagementmember 400 is in the loaded position E. As best illustrated in FIG. 4B,when the actuator 200 is moved from the unactuated position C to theactuated position D (i.e., by a toy vehicle 900 engaging the actuator200 as it travels along the top surface 122 of the ramp 120) while thelever is in the first position A, the engagement member 400 is notrepositioned to the launched position F from the loaded position E.However, when the lever 300 is repositioned to the second position B, asillustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, and the actuator 200 isrepositioned from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D(i.e., by a toy vehicle 900 engaging the actuator 200 as it travelsalong the top surface 122 of the ramp 120), the engagement member 400repositions from the loaded position E to the launched position F (asillustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D).

Turning to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, illustrated is the bottom surface128 of the ramp portion 120 of the base 100 of the toy vehicle playset10. Disposed on the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 is amechanism 500 that is operatively coupled to the actuator 200, lever300, and engagement member 400. As best illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B,the second end 220 of the actuator 200 is disposed through the topsurface 122 and bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. Furthermore,as illustrated 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the base portion 330 of the lever 300and the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 are disposedthrough the top surface 122 and the bottom surface 128 of the rampportion 120. Thus, the mechanism 500 is operatively coupled to thesecond end 220 of the actuator 200, the base portion 330 of the lever300, and the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D illustrate that the mechanism 500 includes afirst or slidable portion 510 and a second or pivotable portion 530. Asfurther described herein, the slidable portion 510 operatively couplesthe base portion 330 of the lever 300 to the proximal end 410 of theengagement member 400, while the pivotable portion 530 operativelycouples the second end 220 of the actuator 200 to the proximal end 410of the engagement member 400.

As previously explained, the base portion 330 of the lever 300 extendsthrough the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that the baseportion 330 extends beyond the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion120. The base portion 330 of the lever 300 includes an extension arm332. The extension arm 332 extends perpendicularly from the base portion330 of the lever 300 such that the extension arm 330 extends across thebottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 (i.e., the extension arm 330extends from the base portion 330 of the lever 300 in a directionparallel to the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120).

Moreover, the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 extendsthrough the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120 such that theproximal end 410 extends beyond the bottom surface 128 of the rampportion 120. As previously explained, a rotational shaft 430 extendsthrough the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 and isdisposed against the bottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120. Asfurther illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the rotational shaft430 further extends through a biasing spring or resilient member 420that is at least partially coupled to the proximal end 410 of theengagement member 400 and at least partially coupled to the bottomsurface 128 of the ramp portion 120 proximate to the first end 124, suchthat the biasing spring 420 at least partially wraps around rotationalshaft 430. The biasing spring 420 is configured to bias the engagementmember 400 to the launched position F, as illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C,5D, and 6D. In addition, when repositioning between the loaded positionE and the launched position F, the engagement member 400 rotates aboutaxis Y that is extends coaxially through the rotational shaft 430.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second end 220 of theactuator 200 extends through the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120such that the second end 220 extends beyond the bottom surface 128 ofthe ramp portion 120. A rotational shaft 240 extends through the secondend 220 of the actuator 200 and is disposed against the bottom surface128 of the ramp portion 120. As further illustrated in FIG. 7B, therotational shaft 240 further extends through a biasing spring orresilient member 230 that is at least partially coupled to the secondend 220 of the actuator 200 and at least partially coupled to the bottomsurface 128 of the ramp portion 120 proximate to the second end 126,such that the biasing spring 230 at least partially wraps aroundrotational shaft 240. The biasing spring 230 is configured to bias theactuator 200 to the unactuated position C, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A,5A, 7A. When repositioning between the unactuated position C and theactuated position D, the actuator 200 rotates about axis X that isextends coaxially through the rotational shaft 240. In addition, thesecond end 220 of the actuator 200 includes a projection 222 thatextends substantially downward from the second end 220 of the actuator200.

The slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 is in the form asubstantially planar plate with a first end 512 and a second end 514opposite the first end 512. The first end 512 of the slidable portion510 is disposed proximate to the base portion 330 of the lever 300,while the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is disposedproximate to the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Thefirst end 512 includes a receptor 520 configured to receive theextension arm 332 of the lever 300. In the embodiment illustrated, thereceptor 520 is defined as a groove or slot disposed between two wallsthat is sized to receive the extension arm 332 of the lever 300. Thesecond end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is substantially rectangularin shape and includes a tab 522 that extends from a sidewall of thesecond end 514 of the slidable portion 510. Similar to the extension arm332 of the lever 300, the tab 522 of the second end 514 of the slidableportion 510 extends perpendicularly from the second end 514 of theslidable portion 510 such that the tab 522 extends across the bottomsurface 128 of the ramp portion 120 and towards the proximal end 410 ofthe engagement member 400. In some embodiments, the tab 522 may becapable of at least partially sliding within the second end 514 of theslidable portion 510, where the tab 522 is biased to a position thatextends perpendicularly from the second end 514 of the slidable portion510 toward the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400.

The slidable portion 510 further includes a first track 516 and a secondtrack 518 that both extend along the slidable portion 510 from the firstend 512 of the slidable portion 510 to the second end 514 of theslidable portion 510. The first and second tracks 516, 518 may beelongated slots that are parallel to one another. Disposed within thefirst track 516 is a first pillar 524, while disposed within the secondtrack 518 is a second pillar 528 and a third pillar 529. The first track516 further includes a tab 526 that is disposed on the sidewall of thefirst track 516 such that the tab 526 extends into the first track 516.Moreover, the second and third pillars 528, 529 are spaced apart fromone another in the second track 518, where the second pillar 528 has aflange that expands beyond the width of the second track 518. Thus, thesecond pillar 528 retains the slidable portion 510 against the bottomsurface 128 of the ramp portion 120.

The slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 is configured to slide ortranslate along direction or plane I between a first position G and asecond position H. The slidable portion 510 slides along plane I betweenthe first position G and the second position H based on the movement orpositioning of the lever 300. Moreover, the spacing of the second pillar528 and the third pillar 529 from one another within the second track518 causes the slidable portion 510 to linearly slide along plane I inresponse to the movement or positioning of the lever 300 rather thanpivoting or tilting in other directions. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate thepositioning of the slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 when thelever 300 is in the first position A, while FIGS. 6C and 6D illustratethe positioning of the slidable portion 510 of the mechanism 500 whenthe lever 300 is in the second position B. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, theslidable portion 510 of the mechanism is in the first position G, wherethe tab 526 of the first track 516 is disposed on a first side of thefirst pillar 524. Moreover, the tab 522 of the second end 514 of theslidable portion 510 is disposed proximate to, and engaged with, thefirst tab 416 of proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. As thelever 300 is rotated from the first position A to the second position B,the extension arm 332 pushes against the receptor 520 to slide ortranslate the slidable portion 510 along plane I until the tab 524 ofthe first track 516 is disposed on the opposite side of the first pillar526 and the tab 522 of the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510disengages from the tab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagementmember, as illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D. Conversely, as the lever 300is rotated from the second position B to the first position A, theextension arm 332 pushes against the receptor 520 to slide or translatethe slidable portion 510 along plane I until the tab 524 of the firsttrack 516 is returned to the first side of the first pillar 526, asillustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, and the tab 522 of the second end 514 ofthe slidable portion 510 reengages the tab 416 of the proximal end 410of the engagement member, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 is in the form a linkagearm with a first end 532 and a second end 534 opposite the first end532. The first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 is disposedproximate to the second end 220 of the actuator 200, while the secondend 534 of the pivotable portion 530 is disposed proximate to theproximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. As best illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the first end 532 is angled and in abutment with theprojection 222 that extends from the second end 220 of the actuator 200.The second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 includes a tab 536 thatextends from the second end 534 of the pivotal portion 530 toward theproximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. More specifically, thetab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 extendsperpendicularly from the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530such that the tab 536 extends across the bottom surface 128 of the rampportion 120 and towards the proximal end 410 of the engagement member400.

The pivotable portion 530 is pivotally coupled to the bottom surface 128of the ramp portion 120 at a pivot point 538 that is disposed betweenthe first end 532 and the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the pivotpoint 538 of the pivotable portion 530 is located more proximate to thesecond end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 than the first end 532 ofthe pivotable portion 532. The pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism500 pivots about an axis J that is located and extends through the pivotpoint 538. The axis J extends through the pivot point 538, and isperpendicular to the pivotable portion 530. In other words, the axis Jis a normal to the pivotable portion 530.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D, the pivotableportion 530 includes a flange 542 that extends from the side of thepivotable portion 530 at a location between the first end 532 and thesecond end 534. More specifically, the flange 542 extends from the sideof the pivotable portion 530 at a location that is more proximate to thefirst end 532 than the pivot point 538. Extending downwardly from thebottom surface 128 of the ramp portion 120 at a location proximate tothe pivotable portion 530 is a pillar 540. A spring or resilient member544 is coupled to the pillar 540 and the flange 542 such that the spring544 extends across the pivotable portion 530 between the flange 542 andthe pillar 540.

The pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 is configured to pivotabout axis J between an aligned position K and an offset position L. Thepivotable portion 530 pivots between the aligned position K and theoffset position L based on the positioning of the actuator 200.Moreover, the spring 544 biases the pivotable portion 530 to the alignedposition K. FIGS. 6A and 6C illustrate the positioning of the pivotableportion 530 of the mechanism 500 when the actuator 200 is in theunactuated position C, while FIGS. 6B and 6D illustrate the positioningof the pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 when the actuator isin the actuated position D. In FIGS. 6A and 6C, the pivotable portion530 of the mechanism 500 is in the aligned position K, where the tab 536of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 is disposed proximateto, and engaged with, the second tab 418 of proximal end 410 of theengagement member 400.

As best illustrated in FIG. 7A, when the actuator 200 is in theunactuated position C, the projection 222 is in contact or abutment withthe angled first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530. However, when theactuator 200 is repositioned to the actuated position D, as illustratedin FIG. 7B, the projection 222 is rotated about axis X towards thepivotable portion 530. Because the first end 532 of the pivotableportion 530 is angled, as the projection 222 is rotated about axis X(i.e., when the actuator 200 is rotated to the actuated position D), theprojection is forced against the angled first end 532 of the pivotableportion 530 causing the first end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 totranslate to the side of the projection 222 of the actuator 200. Thus,when the actuator 200 is rotated about axis X to the actuated positionD, the projection 222 forces the pivotable portion 530 to rotate aboutaxis J to the unaligned position L, as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6D.In FIGS. 6B and 6D, when pivotable portion 530 of the mechanism 500 isrepositioned to the unaligned position L, the tab 536 of the second end534 of the pivotable portion 530 is disengaged with the second tab 418of proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Conversely, as theactuator 200 is rotated from the actuated position D to the unactuatedposition C, the projection 222 of the actuator 200 no longer forces thefirst end 532 of the pivotable portion 530 to the side, where the spring544 biases or returns the pivotable portion 530 to the aligned positionK, and where the tab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion530 reengages the tab 418 of the proximal end 410 of the engagementmember 400 when the engagement member 400 is in the loaded position E,as illustrated in FIG. 6A. If the pivotable portion 530 is returned tothe aligned position K when the engagement member 400 is in the launchedposition F, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the tab 536 of the second end 534of the pivotable portion 530 is unable to reengage the tab 418 of theproximal end 410 of the engagement member 400 because, in the launchedposition F, the tab 418 of the engagement member 400 is disposed abovethe top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120.

As previously explained, during operation of the playset 10, when thelever 300 is in the first position A, and the actuator 200 is engaged bya toy vehicle 900 traveling along the ramp portion 120 (i.e., thetraveling toy vehicle 900 rotates the actuator 200 from the unactuatedposition C to the actuated position D), the engagement member 400remains in the loaded position E. This occurs because, as illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, when the lever 300 is in the first position A, the tab522 on the second end 514 of the slidable portion 510 is engaged withthe tab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400. Thus,while rotation of actuator 200 from the unactuated position C to theactuated position D disengages the tab 536 of the second end 534 of thepivotable portion 530 from the tab 418 of the proximal end 410 of theengagement member 400, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the tab 522 on thesecond end 514 of the slidable portion 510 remains in contact with thetab 416 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400, whichretains the engagement member 400 in the loaded position E. However,when the lever 300 is in the second position B, and the actuator 200 isengaged by a toy vehicle 900 traveling along the ramp portion 120 (i.e.,the traveling toy vehicle 900 rotates the actuator 200 from theunactuated position C to the actuated position D), the engagement member400 is released from the loaded position E to the launched position F.This occurs because, as illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D, when the lever300 is in the second position B, the tab 522 on the second end 514 ofthe slidable portion 510 is disengaged with the tab 416 of the proximalend 410 of the engagement member 400. Thus, rotation of actuator 200from the unactuated position C to the actuated position D disengages thetab 536 of the second end 534 of the pivotable portion 530 from the tab418 of the proximal end 410 of the engagement member 400, releasing theengagement member 400 to rotate about axis Y to the launched position F,as illustrated in FIG. 6D. The spring 420 that biases the engagementmember 400 to the launched position F has enough force to rotate theengagement member 400 to the launched position F while the toy vehicle900 is still disposed on the top surface 122 of the ramp portion 120such that the engagement member 400 contacts or strikes the bottomsurface of the toy vehicle 900 to cause the toy vehicle 900 to flip asit continues to travel past the second end 126 of the ramp portion 120.

It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,”“lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may beused herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do notlimit the present invention to any particular orientation orconfiguration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describean example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplaryis not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, butrather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of theinvention.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described hereinas embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thescope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims. For example, the inner core 60 could also be formed from anelastic material, just with a lower degree of elasticity than the outersheath 52. Also, the handle portion 42 could include an internalretraction mechanism to draw the ends end 62 to end 64 of the core 60back to its rest position after launching. In addition, various featuresfrom one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of theembodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of thedisclosure as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy vehicle playset, comprising: a trackportion; a repositionable lever disposed adjacent the track portion, therepositionable lever being reconfigurable between a first position and asecond position; an actuator disposed on the track portion; and anengagement member disposed on the track portion proximate to theactuator and operatively coupled with the repositionable lever and theactuator, wherein when the repositionable lever is in the secondposition, actuation of the actuator by a toy vehicle traveling over thetrack portion causes the engagement member to engage the toy vehicle. 2.The toy vehicle playset of claim 1, wherein when the repositionablelever is positioned in the first position, the engagement member remainsunengaged with the toy vehicle when the toy vehicle traveling over thetrack portion actuates the actuator.
 3. The toy vehicle playset of claim1, wherein engagement of the engagement member with the toy vehiclecauses the toy vehicle to flip off of the track portion.
 4. The toyvehicle playset of claim 1, wherein the track portion defines a planewith a first end and a second end, and the engagement member iselongated with a distal end and a proximal end.
 5. The toy vehicleplayset of claim 4, wherein the engagement member is repositionablebetween an unengaged position, where the proximal and distal ends of theengagement member are aligned in the plane of the track portion, and anengaged position, where the distal end of the engagement member isdisposed above the plane of the track portion.
 6. The toy vehicleplayset of claim 5, wherein the engagement member is biased into theengaged position by a resilient member.
 7. The toy vehicle playset ofclaim 4, wherein the track portion is a ramp with a first end and anopposite second end, the second end being higher in height than thesecond end.
 8. The toy vehicle playset of claim 4, wherein the actuatoris a planar member that is rotatable between an unactuated position,where the actuator extends upward from the plane of the track portion,and an actuated position, where the actuator is aligned in the plane ofthe track portion.
 9. A toy vehicle playset, comprising: a base; a trackportion coupled to the base, the track portion including an actuator; alever coupled to the base and movable between a first position and asecond position; and an engagement member coupled to the track portionproximate to the actuator, the engagement member being movable relativeto the track portion, the engagement member being operatively coupled tothe lever and the actuator, wherein when the lever is in the secondposition, actuation of the actuator by a toy vehicle traveling over thetrack portion causes the engagement member to engage the toy vehicle.10. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9, wherein when the lever ispositioned in the first position, the engagement member does not engagethe toy vehicle when the toy vehicle actuates the actuator.
 11. The toyvehicle playset of claim 9, wherein engagement of the engagement memberwith the toy vehicle causes the toy vehicle to flip off of the trackportion.
 12. The toy vehicle playset of claim 9, wherein the trackportion defines a plane with a first end and a second end, and theengagement member is elongated with a distal end and a proximal end. 13.The toy vehicle playset of claim 12, wherein the engagement member isrepositionable between an unengaged position, where the proximal anddistal ends of the engagement member are aligned in the plane of thetrack portion, and an engaged position, where the distal end of theengagement member is disposed above the plane of the track portion. 14.The toy vehicle playset of claim 13, wherein the engagement member isbiased into the engaged position by a resilient member.
 15. The toyvehicle playset of claim 11, wherein the track portion is a ramp with afirst end and an opposite second end, the second end being higher inheight than the first end.
 16. The toy vehicle playset of claim 12,wherein the actuator is a planar member that is rotatable between anunactuated position, where the actuator extends upward from the plane ofthe track portion, and an actuated position, where the actuator isaligned in the plane of the track portion.
 17. A toy vehicle playset,comprising: a base having a track portion along which a toy vehicle cantravel; a repositionable lever coupled to the base and disposed adjacentthe track portion, the repositionable lever being movable between afirst position and a second position; an actuator coupled to the baseand disposed proximate to the track portion; and an engagement membercoupled to the base and disposed proximate to the track portion andproximate to the actuator, the engagement member being operativelycoupled to the repositionable lever and the actuator, wherein when therepositionable lever is positioned in the first position, the engagementmember remains unengaged with the toy vehicle when the toy vehicletraveling over the track portion actuates the actuator.
 18. The toyvehicle playset of claim 17, wherein when the repositionable lever is inthe second position, actuation of the actuator by a toy vehicletraveling over the track portion causes the engagement member to engagethe toy vehicle.
 19. The toy vehicle playset of claim 17, whereinengagement of the engagement member with the toy vehicle causes the toyvehicle to flip off of the track portion.
 20. The toy vehicle playset ofclaim 17, wherein the track portion defines a plane with a first end anda second end, the engagement member is elongated with a distal end and aproximal end, the engagement member is repositionable between anunengaged position, where the proximal and distal ends of the engagementmember are aligned in the plane of the track portion, and an engagedposition, where the distal end of the engagement member is disposedabove the plane of the track portion.